Television as a Cultural Forum

As a tool of communication, media has the power to alter global awareness, in turn enhancing cross-cultural comprehension, acceptance of our diverse ethnicity, gender, and religious perceptions in our context globally (Cottle & Simon 33). Nevertheless, most of the time, the focus of media to potentially promote constructive impacts can easily backfire because of the way messages are disseminated. This can reinforce and create destructive stereotypes as well as perpetuating misconceptions. In such cases, the media may be frustrating and working against mutual comprehension. Currently, the media has become one of the platforms involved in not only entertaining people, but shaping their cultures as well, and this has been contributed a lot by the fact that we spend most of our free time watching televisions shows, series, and films.

Over time, the structure of television programming has advanced, with satellite technology ensuring coverage all over in the whole world in real time. Consequently, this has resulted in extraordinary events and direct information to the viewers at home. For a case, The Daily Show is one of the programs that provide consumers with powerful insinuations with stories that enrich our global society. Through considering television as a cultural forum, it implies that points and issues are discussed openly and without any form of discretion. The Daily Show enhances that issues like racism, political jabs, and freedom of speech are heightened (Becker & Amy Bree 131). For example, when The Daily Show was introduced in the television, it started acting as a sector of educating and counseling the young generation, and this is what formed the basis for initiating the multiplier effect for which now millions of viewers are watching.

Through watching the show, it is further noted that the impact of traditional values has been felt, where traditional equities in social relations have been enriched in the name of cultural uniqueness through comedy. Distinct from other shows that somewhat form a disadvantaged minority because of cultural imperialism, Noah has been on the forefront in ensuring that with the satirical humor he uses especially when talking of the modern culture, he presents his expositions in a comical format that leaves the viewer contented with the content. As a matter of fact, most people around the whole world are losing interest in news and share the same perception that news is for the old generation. But with The Daily Show, it is a stand that has enabled this kind of generation to approach reality via a serious content by attracting their attention not knowing that this is also part of watching the news (Bogdan & Rada 91).

In fact, to the few who watched this episode, perhaps they perceived it in the wrong way, believing that somewhat, in the real sense, Donald Trump would slowly start to deport all African American back to their native land, and in turn, end up hating Trump. Thus, it is clear how we develop distinct opinions and interpretations of reality, and this is all that is debated in the cultural forum. In a brief, it is necessary to understand that as an entertainment media, The Daily Show introduces the audience to a certain notion and challenges their dominant perception and ideas. One of the common sayings suggests that one is responsible for the content of what he says and not the audience's discernment, and this is the case because each and every person interprets the message in regard to his/her understanding.

Hence, it remains vague that there is a single and punctual interpretation of a message, but millions of arguments exist on the basis of individual's insights in that particular moment, and interpretations differ. People reacted differently exclusively having in mind that as a young comedian he was, he was found with a series of offensive tweets he had posted several years before. The tweets had caused a firestorm of criticism because they were seen as disregarding to the obese and towards the Jewish women. In addition to this, Trevor Noah was again criticized due to his response towards the complaints of an all-male photo shoot of hosts in the late-night television. In his suggestion, Noah stressed that women are the most powerful elements of forces in the field of entertainment, even if they are not represented well behind television comedy anchor desks (Newcomb et.

al 66). Thus, the show is trying to be a site to provide motivation to many and to push them towards realizing themselves and gaining self-acceptance. Even with those challenges, hilariously, in a recent interview with comedian Jerry Seinfeld, he could afford to literally note that every situation has its funny side because after his mother was jailed following the relationship with his father, Noah was forced to be the babysitter and family's maid at the same time. Therefore, as a cultural forum, The Daily Show provides a moment of equanimity and apprehension. As if that is not enough, The Daily Show support the argument for television as a cultural forum because it leaves the viewer to make their own decision in regard to the opinions and issues they have on the American culture.

Without doubts, the show dominates the lives of many who watches it, suggesting the addicting feature that the television has. In a formal way, the coming of Trevor Noah is being compared to other TV novices like AKA Pablo, the first Hispanic lead. Thus, as a cultural forum, The Daily Show is a platform for celebrating the achievement of others. As he cites in one of his interviews, Noah was influenced by Jon Stewart, who is also his mentor, when he was appointed to succeed Stewart as a host of The Daily Show (Bogdan & Rada 81). Another interview with the New York, Noah recounted some advice he was given by Stewart that Jon gave him the most amazing thing, which was greater than having a mandate because Jon encouraged Noah to make a new show but not to reshape the show that was there.